Desmond O'Boyle

He graduated from Colorado Mesa University with an AA in 2006. Shortly after, he moved to Eugene and continued his education at the University of Oregon studying Journalism. He started working as a volunteer at KLCC in 2011 and graduated with a BS later that year.

Desmond plays the Great Highland Bagpipe and is Pipe Major of the Eugene Highlanders. He has been playing since he was 12.

Other interests include skiing, hiking, disc golf, and cooking.

Ways To Connect

The 77th Annual Oregon Logging Conference returned to Eugene last weekend. Industry professionals, equipment, and networking are the main attractions. Saturday morning featured family activities and some friendly competition.

All the heavy equipment is on display and demonstrations are ongoing here at the 2015 Oregon Logging Conference. This mobile wood splitter can dissect a tree into firewood fast.

Big toys and industry information sharing aren't the only activities going on Saturday.

Airline Service Subcontractors at the Port of Portland are asking officials to adopt "meaningful minimal standards" for wages and working conditions at the city's International Airport.

PDX workers spoke with the Port Commission last week and presented a draft titled: "Workplace Initiatives for Airport Service Providers." Lead Ramp Agent Nick Campbell describes the discussion with Port officials.

Lane County Republicans are pleased Oregon Democratic Governor John Kitzhaber is resigning. Challenger Dennis Richardson lost handily to Kitzhaber in the 2014 election. Now a special election in 2016 could mean a boost in support for a Republican candidate. Cindy Land is the Lane County Republican Chair. She says young voters are tired of corruption in government.

As more information is being transferred and stored on the Internet, cybersecurity is emerging as a highly sought after employment field. The demand has led to collaboration between Oregon State University and Intel Security through a course that trains cyber security professionals. The class titled, "Defense Against the Dark Art" offers hands-on experience on topics such as malware, software vulnerabilities, and mobile device security. OSU Professor Terri Feiz says in a short time, cyber attacks have grown from a few hundred, to millions worldwide.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is on tour to gather input on how to license and regulate recreational marijuana in the state. Their next stop is in Eugene this week.

Measure 91, the recreational marijuana law passed by voters last November, directs the OLCC to regulate pot by 2016. OLCC Chair Rob Patridge says both industry and local government panels are fairly unified about their concern for edible wrapping.

Millions of Americans will be participating in Super Bowl parties today. During the match between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, many viewers will be drinking their favorite craft beer, and there's a good chance it's from Oregon. The State has become known for its micro-brew around the world including markets such as Europe, Asia, and Australia. Oregon Department of Agriculture Trade Manager Amanda Welker says big name beers are on the decline.

Law enforcement agencies across Oregon will be on the road looking for drunk drivers this Super Bowl Sunday. Benton County, Deschutes County Sheriff's, and the Eugene Police Department are among the agencies participating in DUII saturation patrols.

Also, EPD spokeswoman Melinda McLaughlin says if your party gets out of control, don't be afraid to call the police.

Benton County is looking to connect its two largest cities, Corvallis and Albany, with a pedestrian bike path. The County has been approved to receive $2 million dollars from a state grant for the project.

Benton County is still in the planning stages to connect Independence Road in Albany to an already completed section in Corvallis. Commissioners are in the process of reviewing a conditional use permit application for the path. Benton County Spokesman Rick Osborn says in addition to linking the two cities, the pathway would create a safety corridor.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is recommending changes to water supply levels, access to markets, and more pressure on Congress to pass immigration reform. It's all in the ODA's recently completed biennial report for the governor. Steve Van Mouwerik is the Board of Agriculture Chair.

Despite Oregon's decision to abandon its own health exchange system in favor of the federal portal, the State's Medicaid program is doing well.

A new report from the Oregon Health Authority says costs for inpatient hospital services decreased by about 5.5% since 2011. And there are 380,000 Medicaid enrollees in the new system. CareOregon's Director of Public Policy, Martin Taylor, says developing the State's Coordinated Care Organizations, or CCO's, helped ease the changeover to the federal exchange.